Devices for automatically controlling the watering of plants

ABSTRACT

An automatic watering device for seeds or plants comprises a magnetic valve arranged in a waterflow conduit controlled by the movement of a permanent magnet outside of the conduit, the movement of such magnet being controlled by the increase and decrease in weight of a water retentive means arranged to receive water from the supply via the device.

United States Patent [191 Riddiford DEVICES FOR AUTOMATICALLYCONTROLLING THE WATERING OF PLANTS [76] lnventorn Frank Oliver GeorgeRiddiford, Nr.

Bampton, Devon, Woodside, Shillingford, England 22 Filed: Nov. 23, 1971211 App]. No.: 201,294

[52] U.S, Cl. 137/408, 251/65 [51] Int. Cl. Fl6k 31/08 [58] Field ofSearch.... 137/408; 251/65 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTSMcCreary 251/65 X June 26, 1973 6/1964 Nixon 251/65 X 9/1971 Sheridan251/65 X Primary Examinerl-lenry T. Klinksiek Attorney-Bacon & Thomas [57] ABSTRACT An automatic watering device for seeds or plants comprises amagnetic valve arranged in a waterflow conduit controlled by themovement of a permanent magnet outside of the conduit, the movement ofsuch magnet being controlled by the increase and decrease in weight of awater retentive means arranged to receive water from the supply via thedevice.

16 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures PATENTEUJUNZS ma 3.741.239

sum 1 0r 5 Inventor Fm NK 0. 6 Flo /F0120 Attorneys PATENTEDJUHZS I975SHEET 3 BF 5 FRANK 0. 6T HOD/FORD y Mu Attorneys PATENTEDJUNZB 191a sumsnr 5 Invenlor FRANK 0 (I F ap/FORD Attorney;

DEVICES FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING THE WATERING OF PLANTS Thisinvention relates to the watering of seeds or plants, and isparticularly directed to improvements in devices for automaticallycontrolling the watering of seeds or plants.

It is an object of the invention to provide such a device in which thevalve is such as to operate satisfactorily in conjunction with a highpressure water supply, e.g., normal mains pressure.

According to the present invention there is provided a device forautomatically controlling the watering of seeds or plants, comprising avalve including a movable valve member having an operating lever whichcarries or incorporates a first permanent magnet and which is enclosedwith the valve member in a water flow conduit connectible to a watersupply; and valve operating means including a second permanent magnetmounted outside of said conduit for movement relative to said firstpermanent magnet so as by magnetic cooperation with the latter tocontrol opening and closing movement of the valve member, said valveoperating means 7 further including a part which is movable to effectthe movement of said second permanent magnet between its valve openingand valve closing positions and which part is adapted, in use of thedevice, to support at least part of the weight of a water retentivemeans arranged to receive water from said supply via the device, saidsupport part being biased in its valve opening direction of movement butbeing arranged to be urged in its valve closing direction of movement bythe weight of said water retentive means so as to control opening andclosing of said valve in response to variations in the weight of saidwater retentive means.

It has been found that a device incorporating a valve as set forth aboveoperates satisfactorily in conjunction with a water supply at mainspressure.

In one form of the invention, in the closed condition of the valve thefirst and second magnets are disposed with their like poles adjacent,opening of the valve being effected by movement of the second magnetinto a position where unlike poles are adjacent so that the operatinglever is moved by magnetic attraction to open the valve. Alternatively,as already mentioned, the valve could be arranged to be opened byrepulsion between the two magnets.

The valve operating lever moves in a pivotal sense to displace the valvemember. In most forms of the invention pivotal movement of the operatinglever is transmitted directly to the valve member-to move the latter ina pivotal manner; alternatively, however, the valve member may bemovably associated with a support which pivots with the operating leverso that the movement of the valve member is not of a wholly pivotalnature.

In another arrangement the said operating lever extends from a valvemember in the form of a sphere having one or more portions of itssurface cut away, e.g. in a scooped out fashion.

ing from such magnets is adjustable. Thus the nearer the ferrous blockto either of the magnets the greater will be the attractive forcebetween the block and the respective magnet. Such attractive force mayact on the first magnet to alter the effect thereon of the secondmagnet, or the force may act on the second magnet as an additional, andvariable, bias thereon. The weaning control may conveniently alsoconstitute a stop defining one limit position of the second magnet, andin this case the ferrous block'is preferably mounted eccentricallybetween two rotable circular plates of non-ferrous metal, theperipheries of which plates provide said stop.

The ferrous block may conveniently be mounted on the water flow conduitso as to be adjustable toward and away from the magnets.

The water outlet of the control device may be provided with a number ofinter-changeable heads, such as for example for misting or forconnection to trickle lines with several outlets for pots or graveltrays. When a moisture absorbent pad is provided, this may be wetted bymeans of a special outlet port in the outlet side of the device, suchport preferably having an adjustable flow rate, variable by means of aneedle valve for example.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, certainembodiments thereof will not be described by way of example and withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation, partly in section of a first embodiment of acontrol device according to the invention; I

FIG. 2 is a part'sectional view of one .form of valve in its closedcondition for use in a control device ac cording to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but take at right angles thereto;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but with the valve in its opencondition;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 with the valve in its open condition;

FIG. 6 is a part sectional view of a modified form of valve;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 but takenat right angles thereto;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6 but with the valve partly open;

FIG. 9 shows the valve of FIG. 6 fully open;

FIG. 10 is a part-sectional side view of a modified embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a part-sectional front view of the embodiment of FIG. 10;

An additional preferred feature of devices according FIG. 12 is'asectional view through the valve of the embodiment of FIG. 10;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are two views of an alternative outlet arrangement ofthe device.

FIGS. 15 through 17 are part-sectional views at various stages ofopening of a further embodiment of valve;

FIG. 18 is a part-sectional view at right angles of the embodiment ofFIGS. 15 through 17; and

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate a still further embodiment of the invention.

Referring first to FIG. lithere is shown a device for automaticallycontrolling the watering of seeds or plants, including a valve generallyindicated at 1. The

valve includes a movable valve member 2 having an operating lever 3which incorporates a first permanent magnet of the polarity indicated inthe drawing. The

operating lever 3 is enclosed with the valve member 2 in a non-magneticwater flow conduit 4 which is connectible to a water supply at 5. Thevalve member 2 and operating lever 3 are of the type which will bedescribed in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

A valve operating means includes a support part 6 in the form of anelongate member pivoted at 7 and carrying at one end a counterweight 8and at the other a water retentive means in the form of a moistureabsorbent pad 9. Pivot 7 may if desired be in the form of a needlepivot. Secured to the member 6 between the pivot 7 and counterweight 8is .a second permanent magnet of the polarity shown mounted outside ofthe conduit 4 for movement relative to said first permanent magnet 3.

The member 6 supports the weight of pad 9 which pad is arranged toreceive water from the supply via the control device and thence viaadjustable needle valve 11 and trickle pipe 12.

Owing to the weight of second magnet 10 and counterweight 8, the supportpart 6 is biased in the anticlockwise direction of movement as seen inFIG. 1.

In the configuration shown in the figure, valve 1 is in its opencondition and it will be seen that the unlike poles of the first andsecond magnets are roughly adjacent. Thus the lower end of first magnet3 is being urged out of the paper to open the valve. As water flowsthrough the valve 1, a small amount will escape through needle valve 11and onto pad 9, causing the weight of the pad to increase and thusrotating the support part 6 in the clockwise direction with secondmagnetlO moving relative to first magnet 3. In this way the like southpoles of the magnet will come into registry effecting an opposite torqueon operating lever 3. As will hereinafter be described the valve member2 will thus close the valve 1, shutting ofi the supply of water to theseeds or plants and pad 9.

Consequent evaporation of water from pad 9 will thereafter cause supportpart 6 to rotate counterclockwise, moving second magnet 10 relative tofirst magnet 3 so that unlike poles again come into registry whereuponthe sequence of events described above will begin again. In order toreduce the overall size of pad 9 it may have a corrugated or pleatedform. A weaning control 13 is mounted on the conduit 4 for applying amagnetic force to the second magnet 10 to vary the operation time of thedevice by adjustably biasing the support part 6. The weaning control 13alters the operation time of the device by applying a further magneticforce to the second magnet 10 to provide a variable bias on the supportmember 6. The control comprises a ferrous block mounted eccentricallybetween two circular non-ferrous plates for rotation by a control knob,so as to cause the ferrous block to be brought nearer to or further awayfrom, the magnet 10, thus varying the amount of magnet attractionexisting therebetween.

The outlet of the device, shown at 14 is adapted to receive one of anumber of interchangeable heads, such as a misting head or one forconnection with trickle lines with several outlets for pots or graveltrays.

As an alternative to moisture absorbent pad 9, the water retentive meansmay be in the form of a plate a (FIG. 10), preferably circular, formedwith a plurality of indentations b adapted to retain droplets of water,mounted on support part 6 for longitudinal adjustment. When the valve 1is open the plate will collect water and thus move downwardly under theadded weight. As it pivots it will close the valve 1 and water will runoff the plate leaving only a droplet in each indentation, which dropletswill evaporate, eventually to cause valve 1 to open again.

The plate may also be provided with an upturned rim extending around amajor part of its periphery the plate being rotatable in its plane aboutits centre of gravity. It can thus be arranged that water will beretained in the region of the upturned riin' the amount retained beingvariable by rotating the plate. Thus the watering time of the device canbe varied. As a further refinement, a second counterweight threadedlymounted on a threaded shank connected to the plate can be provided toallow the valve 1 to open at any desired stage of evaporation.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 to 5, there is shown a valve of the type employedin the FIG. 1 embodiment of the invention. The valve member in this casecomprises one limb of a strip of metal 16 bent to form an angle.

An operating lever, carrying the first permanent magnet 3, is providedby the other limb of the member 16. The limb constituting the valvemember is arranged to block aperture 17 in the valve seat 18 whilstconstrained in a guide member 19 as shown in FIG. 2. In that figure thevalve is shown in its closed condition and it will be seen that likepoles of the magnets 3,10 are adjacent, exerting a counter clockwisetorque on the valve as seen in the figure.

In operation of the control device, movement of the support part causedby lightening of the water retentive means will result in displacementon the second magnet 10 relative to magnet 3 to the position shown inFIG. 4, when unlike poles will be adjacent thus effecting an oppositetorque on magnet 3. The valve member will thus pivot open, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5.

This valve, however, is arranged to be closed by the action of thesupply water pressure. The water passing through the valve will exert acounter-clockwise torque on the valve member and operating lever; thuswhen the second magnet 10 has been displaced sufficiently for the torqueexerted by it on the operating lever to be less than that caused by thesupply pressure, then the valve will close with a snap action.

An alternative form of valve is shown inFIGS. 19 and 20 where the valvemember is in the form of a sphere m having scooped out portions n, thewhole being pivotable and cooperating with valve seat p to open andclose the valve as shown. Actuation of the valve is achieved by linearmovement of controlling permanent magnet r cooperating with magneticoperating lever q mounted on the sphere m.

FIGS. 6 to 9 show a modified form of valve in which the valve membercomprises a metal or PTFE sphere 20 supported in a wire cradle 21 havingconnected thereto an operating lever in the form of the'first permanentmagnet 3. A second permanent magnet 10 disposed outside water conduit 4'is mounted for vertical displacement brought about by changes'in weightof the water retentive means. In this case the valve seat includes avalve bore 22' in which sphere 20 is adapted to seat to close the valve(FIGS. 6 and 7). The cradle 21 is pivotally connected to an upstandingportion 23 of the valve seat, and on the side of the valve seat oppositefrom portion 23 is a second upstanding and inturned portion 24.

In the FIG. 6 condition, like north poles of the magnets are adjacentand a counter-clockwise torque is exerted on the valve member. As theweight of the water retentive means becomes less, the support part isadapted to move second magnet downwards from the FIG. 6 to the FIG. '8position where unlike poles come into registry. When this happens, thevalve member is urged to move in the clockwise direction as shown toopen the valve. In this way the sphere is first lifted slightly sidewaysoff the valve seat before being raised therefrom and being guided byupstanding portion 24 into the FIG. 9 position. The fully open conditionof the valve is determined when magnet 3 locates against the inner wallof conduit 4 as seen in FIG. 9.

Referring now to FIG. 10 there is shown a modified embodiment ofwatering device having an inlet 5, support part 6', water flow conduit4', pivot 7', counterweight 8', dish a having indentations b andarranged close to a growing medium second magnet 10', needle valve 11',and trickle pipe 12' arranged in a similar way to the FIG. 1 embodiment.

This modified embodiment is provided with a control valve similar tocontrol valve 1 described with reference to FIG. 2, and which itself isshown in more detail in FIG. 12. Such valve consists of a strip of metal16' bent to form an angle, one limb of which comprises an operatinglever carrying the first magnet 3. The strip 16 is suspended from avalve seat 18' by means of a retaining member 19', the whole beingpivotable about member 19 such that the other limb can act to open andblock the aperture 17'.

Actuation of the control valve is effected by substantially verticalmovement of the second magnet 10' in accordance with the rising andfalling of the pad 9' owing to the variation in its water content, asexplained in connection with the FIG. 1 embodiment. As will be seen,downward movement of the second magnet 10', as the pad gets lighter,brings unlike poles into registry and causes the first magnet 3 to beattracted to the right (FIG. 12) so as to open the valve.

Thus water will issue from outlet jet and strike the base 26 of theneedle valve 11 which causes a fine spray to be delivered to the growingmedium around the device. Clearly water will also be delivered by thetrickle pipe 12' to the pad 9' and cause it to become heavier and so toshut off the valve.

Variation of the amount of water delivered to the growing medium duringthe watering can be effected by means of the needle valve 11'. Again,variation of the time period between watering can be effected by raisingthe unit as a whole so as to allow air to flow around the pad 9' to aidevaporation.

The arrangement shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 obviates the need to provide aseparate trickle line to moisten the pad. In this case water is arrangedto issue from jet 25 as before and to strike the base 27 of a blockingmember 28 supported relative to jet 25' by wire loop 29. Part of thewater deflected from base 27 in the form of a mist contacts adeflectingmeans in the form of a flat metal strip 30 supported in block 28, andthen runs down the strip to drip onto the pad. The strip 30 can beaxially rotated by means of its handle 31 so as to present a lesser orgreater surface area to the water coming off the base 27. In this waythe amount of water deflected may be varied so as to adjust the wateringtime to the desired length according to the plants or seeds in thegrowing medium.

Referring now to FIGS. 15 through 18 a further embodiment of valveincludes an operating lever 3' which incorporates a first permanentmagnet of the polarity indicated in the drawing. The operating lever isactuated by a second permanent magnet 40 of the polarity shown, mountedoutside of the conduit 41 for movement relative to the first permanentmagnet.

The flat operating lever 3' is formed at its upper end with a U-shapedrecess 32 which forms a cradle for a stainless steel valve ball 33, andserves on actuation so as to open the valve. The lever 3 is pivotallymounted with respect to the valve seat 18' by means of pivot shaft 34passing through upstanding flanges 35 of the valve seat 18.

Thus in the FIG. 15 position, with like south poles adjacent, theoperating lever 3 is biased in an anticlockwise direction and the valveremains shut. On lowering of the second permanent magnet 40 as shown inFIGS. 16 and 17, unlike poles of the two magnets come into registry andthe operating lever is pivoted in clockwise direction, displacing theball 33 from the valve seat 18' to open the valve.

It will thus be seen that the invention provides a simple, robust andefficient control device which will operate automatically to maintainthe water content of one, or more if desired, seed or plant containersat a desired level, with a minimum of supervision, and whose controlvalve operates efficiently in conjunction with a water supply at highpressure, e.g., a mains supply. The use of a water retentive means inthe form of an absor bent pad is especially useful, since the devicethen requires no regulation to take into account the additional weightof the growing plants.

What I claim is:

1. A device for automatically controlling the watering of seeds orplants, comprising a valve including a movable valve member having anoperating lever which incorporates a first permanent magnet and which isenclosed with the valve member in a water flow conduit connectible to awater supply; and valve operating means including a second permanentmagnet mounted outside of said conduit for movement relative to saidfirst permanent magnet so as by magnetic cooperation with the latter tocontrol opening and closing movement of the valve member, said valveoperating means further including a part which is movable to effect themovement of said second permanent magnet between its valve opening andvalve closing positions and which part is adapted, in use of the device,to support at least part of the weight of a water retentive meansarranged to receive water from said supply via the device, said supportpart being biased in its valve opening direction of movement but beingarranged to be urged in its valve closing direction of movement by theweight of said water retentive means so as to control opening andclosing of said valve in response to variations in the weight of saidwater retentive means.

2. A device according to claim 1 in which the water retentive meanscomprises a moisture absorbent pad.

3. A device according to claim 2 in which the pad is secured to thesupport part so as to be wetted when the valve is open.

4. A device according to claim 2 in which the pad is wetted by means ofa special outlet port in the outlet side of the device.

5. A device according to claim 4 in which the flow rate of the specialport is adjustable.

6. A device according to claim 2 in which means are provided fordeflecting part of the outlet of the device onto said pad.

7. A device according to claim 6 in which said deflecting meanscomprises a flat strip movable so as to present a lesser or greatersurface area to said outlet to vary the amount of said outlet deflectedonto the pad.

8. A device according to claim 1 in which the water retentive meanscomprises a plate formed with a plurality of indentations adapted toretain droplets of water.

9. A device according to claim 8 in which the position of said plate onthe support part is made adjustable.

10. A device according to claim 1 in which the valve operating leverwhich carries or incorporates the first magnet is constituted by one ofthe limbs of an angled metal strip, the other limb constituting thevalve member and being arranged, in the closed condition of the valve,to block an aperture in a valve seat, and the second magnet beingpositioned adjacent the first magnet with like poles adjacent when thevalve is closed and being movable to a position in which unlike polesare adjacent to attract the first magnet to open the valve.

11. A device according to claim 1 in which said operating lever extendsfrom a valve member in the form of a sphere having one or more portionsof its surface cut away, e.g., in a scooped out fashion.

12. A device according to claim 1 in which the valve member comprises asphere supported in a cradle having the said operating lever connectedthereto, and movement of the second magnet to its valve opening positionis arranged to cause the lever to pivot and the cradle to displace thesphere from its associated valve seat.

13. A device according to claim 8 in which the operating lever is formedwith means defining a U-shaped recess at one end which serves to receivesaid sphere.

14. A device according to claim 8 in which the valve includes a valveseat formed with upstanding flanges between which a pivot shaft isarranged, the operating lever pivoting about said pivot shaft.

15. A device according to claim 1 further including a weaning controlfor adjustment of the control device to vary its operating time byapplying a further magnetic force to either the first or second magnetor both.

16. A device according to claim 15 in which the weaning control is inthe form of a block of ferrous metal mounted in the region of themagnets but whose spacing from such magnets is adjustable. a: k

1. A device for automatically controlling the watering of seeds orplants, comprising a valve including a movable valve member having anoperating lever which incorporates a first permanent magnet and which isenclosed with the valve member in a water flow conduit connectible to awater supply; and valve operating means including a second permanentmagnet mounted outside of said conduit for movement relative to saidfirst perManent magnet so as by magnetic cooperation with the latter tocontrol opening and closing movement of the valve member, said valveoperating means further including a part which is movable to effect themovement of said second permanent magnet between its valve opening andvalve closing positions and which part is adapted, in use of the device,to support at least part of the weight of a water retentive meansarranged to receive water from said supply via the device, said supportpart being biased in its valve opening direction of movement but beingarranged to be urged in its valve closing direction of movement by theweight of said water retentive means so as to control opening andclosing of said valve in response to variations in the weight of saidwater retentive means.
 2. A device according to claim 1 in which thewater retentive means comprises a moisture absorbent pad.
 3. A deviceaccording to claim 2 in which the pad is secured to the support part soas to be wetted when the valve is open.
 4. A device according to claim 2in which the pad is wetted by means of a special outlet port in theoutlet side of the device.
 5. A device according to claim 4 in which theflow rate of the special port is adjustable.
 6. A device according toclaim 2 in which means are provided for deflecting part of the outlet ofthe device onto said pad.
 7. A device according to claim 6 in which saiddeflecting means comprises a flat strip movable so as to present alesser or greater surface area to said outlet to vary the amount of saidoutlet deflected onto the pad.
 8. A device according to claim 1 in whichthe water retentive means comprises a plate formed with a plurality ofindentations adapted to retain droplets of water.
 9. A device accordingto claim 8 in which the position of said plate on the support part ismade adjustable.
 10. A device according to claim 1 in which the valveoperating lever which carries or incorporates the first magnet isconstituted by one of the limbs of an angled metal strip, the other limbconstituting the valve member and being arranged, in the closedcondition of the valve, to block an aperture in a valve seat, and thesecond magnet being positioned adjacent the first magnet with like polesadjacent when the valve is closed and being movable to a position inwhich unlike poles are adjacent to attract the first magnet to open thevalve.
 11. A device according to claim 1 in which said operating leverextends from a valve member in the form of a sphere having one or moreportions of its surface cut away, e.g., in a scooped out fashion.
 12. Adevice according to claim 1 in which the valve member comprises a spheresupported in a cradle having the said operating lever connected thereto,and movement of the second magnet to its valve opening position isarranged to cause the lever to pivot and the cradle to displace thesphere from its associated valve seat.
 13. A device according to claim 8in which the operating lever is formed with means defining a U-shapedrecess at one end which serves to receive said sphere.
 14. A deviceaccording to claim 8 in which the valve includes a valve seat formedwith upstanding flanges between which a pivot shaft is arranged, theoperating lever pivoting about said pivot shaft.
 15. A device accordingto claim 1 further including a weaning control for adjustment of thecontrol device to vary its operating time by applying a further magneticforce to either the first or second magnet or both.
 16. A deviceaccording to claim 15 in which the weaning control is in the form of ablock of ferrous metal mounted in the region of the magnets but whosespacing from such magnets is adjustable.